ABC News to Pay $15 Million to Settle Defamation Lawsuit with Donald Trump
In a significant development, ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, the former President of the United States. The lawsuit was filed after ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos made comments about Trump being "found liable for rape" during an interview with Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina ¹.
The settlement, which was finalized on December 13, 2024, includes a payment of $15 million to Trump's planned presidential foundation and museum, as well as an additional $1 million to cover Trump's legal fees. As part of the agreement, ABC News is also required to add an editor's note to the online article linked to the interview, retracting the claims made by Stephanopoulos.
The lawsuit centered on comments made by Stephanopoulos during the March 10 interview, in which he stated that Trump had been "found liable for rape." Trump argued that this claim was "patently and demonstrably false" and accused Stephanopoulos of acting "with actual malice or with a reckless disregard for the truth" ¹.
The settlement marks a significant outcome in Trump's efforts to counter defamatory statements. Although the foundation and museum referenced in the settlement have yet to be established, the substantial contribution marks a notable victory for Trump.
It's worth noting that Trump has been involved in several high-profile defamation cases in recent years. In May 2023, a federal jury in New York found Trump liable for sexual abuse in a civil lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury also found Trump liable for defaming Carroll through comments he made after she published a book in 2019 describing the alleged encounter ¹.
However, it's also important to clarify that the jury did not find Trump liable for rape, as the evidence presented did not meet the legal standard for rape under New York's penal code. In an August 2023 ruling, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed a defamation counterclaim by Trump against Carroll, while also clarifying that the jury's decision was based on the technical legal definition of rape in New York ¹.
In a separate case decided in January 2024, another federal jury in New York found Trump liable for defaming Carroll. This lawsuit stemmed from additional public remarks Trump made about her. The jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages ¹.
Trump has consistently denied all allegations and maintains his innocence regarding Carroll's claims.
The settlement between ABC News and Trump has sparked a wider debate about the responsibility of media outlets to ensure the accuracy of their reporting. While some have praised ABC News for taking steps to correct their mistake, others have criticized the network for not doing enough to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Ultimately, the settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of fact-based reporting and the need for media outlets to be held accountable for their actions.
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